Bonnie Jean McKnight Whiting
1936 ~ 2016
Bonnie Jean McKnight Whiting, 82, passed into the Spirit World on July 14, 2018 surrounded by her family. We are certain that she was welcomed home by her son Jeffery Scott who passed away in 2008, her parents, Thobie, family and friends.
Bonnie was born in Logan, Utah on July 8, 1936 to Annie Anderson McKnight and John McKnight. She had one older brother Larry. She grew up in Lewiston, Utah and graduated from North Cache High School where she excelled in music and drama. Bonnie married John Heber Whiting on July 21, 1954 in the Logan Utah Temple and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
After marriage Bonnie and Heber moved to Smithfield, Utah, where Heber graduated from Utah State University and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Their daughter, Jan, was born in Logan, Utah. They relocated to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where their three sons John, Jeffery, and Edward were born.
The family was assigned to Wiesbaden, Germany where they traveled throughout Europe. The family relocated to Hill Air Force Base and then Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah where they lived for 20 years. Bonnie and family loved Dugway! Here she taught piano and played in a community jazz band with her son Jeffery on the drums, was a substitute school teacher, worked in the commissary, and raised her family among great people and good friends.
Bonnie and Heber retired to Logan, Utah where they lived for many years. They relocated to West Jordan, Utah in 2012 to be closer family. They also enjoyed a home in St. George, Utah where Bonnie loved the sunshine! Bonnie moved into the West Jordan Beehive home in January 2018.
Bonnie was an exceptional piano accompanist. She also loved the Hale Center Theater, long drives, any sweet, eating out, riding her bike, Spider Solitaire, bowling, and ceramics. She was a published poet in "Utah Sings" and celebrated her 70th birthday with a 1600 mile motorcycle trip. She became fast friends with Bjorg and Hans who visited from Norway and she visited them.
Church service was extensive. Of note, she served as a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency at the Spring Hollow Apartments in Logan. Her empathy was genuine and her love sincere.
Her greatest enjoyment was children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, John Heber; daughter, Jan Roberts (Dennis); two sons, John (Pam) and Edward (Wendy); brother, Larry McKnight (Carolyn); sister-in-law Mary (Wendell); 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffery Scott; parents, Annie and John; parents in law Heber and Florence, and Thobie who helped raise her.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 22 from 6 to 8 pm and Monday, July 23 from 9:30 to 10:45 am at the LDS Meeting House on 1945 West 9000 South, West Jordan, Utah. The funeral will be Monday, July 23 at 11 am at the LDS Meeting House on 1945 West 9000 South, West Jordan, Utah. Following the funeral, the interment will be held at the Smithfield City Cemetery on East Center Street, Smithfield, Utah. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Our Family extends a very warm thank-you to the West Jordan Beehive Home where Bonnie resided the last six months of her life. The staff was wonderful, care for Bonnie exceptional, and their love of Bonnie genuine. A special thanks also to all those with Care Giver Support Network-Home Health and Hospice, who helped us all with Bonnie's long journey home.